Big Boy Emmet

On Saturday December 20th Emmet declared that he was a big boy and was no longer interested in wearing diapers! Seriously. This is so typical Emmet...always doing things on his own terms, his own time frame, when he wants to and is ready. We tried last summer to potty train him along with Ada but he just wasn't ready. He's since been pooping on the potty for about the last 5 months but has had no interest in committing to the toilet full time when I have asked. So, I was surprised when he refused the diaper when he got up in the morning and went to get a pair of underwear. He's really been doing a great job as long as he is reminded frequently (he is becoming a bit reliant on the timer). The holidays threw him off a little bit with being out of his normal routine, lack of naps and late bedtimes but we'll get back on track soon. We're doing pull-ups for naps and bedtime but will tackle that battle another time. Right now I'm just rejoicing in the fact that I don't have to buy diapers anymore!!!!!

Sibling love

Emmet bumped his head while climbing inside a cabinet. Ada was pretty sure that he needed some medicine. When I assured her that he would be okay with a kiss from her she came over to the couch where I was snuggling Emmet and holding an ice pack on his bump...Ada climbed up and Emmet proceeded to get off of my lap to go snuggle with Ada. Melted my heart.

Decorating the tree

Ada and Emmet totally got into the Christmas thing this year...the LOVED it all and I loved watching them love it. They loved the music (especially Jingle Bells) and the idea of Santa. They loved decorating the tree! What a fun afternoon!

Christmas Tree Farm

We ventured out to the Christmas Tree Farm this year with Nana & Pops to pick out our Christmas Tree. It was windy, damp and cold so we decided not to cut one down this year and instead found a pre-cut one in the barn where the wind wasn't blowing quite as hard. Lucky for us Santa was visiting the farm so Ada and Emmet got their very first introduction to the man in the red suit! They were a little unsure at first but couldn't take their eyes off of him! They enjoyed tromping around the barn looking at the trees and it's official....both Nana & Pops and The Marcin family got "The Best Tree Ever".

Happy Birthday Uncle Greg

We celebrated Uncle Greg's 31st birthday on December 6th. Ada and Emmet just love having visitors...especially Uncle Greg & Aunt Gina. Poor Greg wasn't feeling very well but he was a trooper and indulged A&E in some ring around the rosie and snuggling!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving in Delafield with the Flynn family. Ada and Emmet very much enjoyed being in a new place and having lots of people to entertain them! It was so nice to spend time with family and catch up with one another.


Emmet relaxing with Uncle Greg.


Ada loved snuggling with Pops & Uncle Mickey...she also liked sharing her blanket!


Most of the family relaxing together.


Ada enjoying some yummy pie.


Emmet & Daddy playing with cars.


The Flynn sisters...minus the smart ones (Jackie & Patty) that lives in much warmer places! L-R, Barbie, Kathy, Peggy and Debbie (Nana)


Ada loves her Aunt Barbie!

Indoor biking

I had to post this video from the other day. Ada and Emmet LOVE riding their bikes around the house. Normally I am way too anal to have such an outdoor activity take place inside, however, they received the bikes from Nana for their last birthday when there was snow and frigid temperatures so we allowed them to stay inside for them to learn how to ride them. For most of the summer they were kept in the garage because we rode them nearly every day OUTside. Well...one of us (I'll blame it on Roger since I'm the one writing this, although it was probably me!!) brought them back inside. They really are very well behaved with them and it is hysterical to watch them come up with a zillion different places to pretend to be traveling to.

Singing for Ben

An old friend of mine, Ben, has started up a business with his sister teaching music to youngsters like my little ones. He has sent us a couple of videos, which Ada and Emmet absolutely love. Here are a couple of videos in response.

Trick or Treat!

Ada and Emmet LOVED Halloween this year. They helped pick out their costumes...very unoriginal , yet cheap, Superman and Abby Caddaby from Target. They couldn't get enough of the decorations and anticipation leading up to the big day! The weather was absolutely gorgeous on Halloween so no bundling up required. We went trick-or-treating with some neighbors and spent some time at the neighbors party too. They weren't too sure (well downright scared actually) by scary masks on the older kids but many of the kids were gracious enough to take off their masks to show them it wasn't real. Ada and Emmet obtained their first real understanding of what candy is and of course enjoyed that immensely! Being the stingy mom that I am when it comes to candy we had fun sorting and matching our stash after which I allowed them to have two pieces and then we said "ba bye" candy. Unfortunately the majority of our candy ended up in my belly...it is disgusting how much candy I ingested over such a short period of time.

Pumpkin carving day

The Sunday before Halloween Greg, Gina, Nana and Pops came over for some pumpkin carving fun. Ada and Emmet had a blast. They like digging out the goop from the pumpkins and watching as we carved different faces into our pumpkins. They especially liked seeing them lit up! What a great day!


Nana and Ada scooping out the pumpkin goo



Roger doing some scoopin' too


Emmet diggin' deep.


Pops, Gina, & Greg working on making their pumpkins look scary!


Hmm....not sure I want to invite Greg next year.


Me doin' some carving.


Ada and Aunt Gina coloring together. I love the matching smiles!


Ada snuggling with Pops. It was a fun but long afternoon without a nap.


Emmet and Ada wearing their cool shirts from Greg and Gina waving goodbye to Nana & Pops.


The finished products!

Cookies with Nana

Nana came to babysit one day and surprised Ada and Emmet with a special activity...making cookies! They had a blast!